For further information:
Jessica J. Wise, ext. 22
Tara Rolstad, ext. 19
1.800.723.9166
fax: 1.503.245.0626
e-mail: [email protected]
For Immediate Release
October is National Psoriasis Awareness Month More than 6.4 million in US suffer from incurable skin disease
Really, there are no words for what this disease does to me. At the age of 17, within a three-day period, my beautiful, flawless skin was suddenly covered with bright red psoriasis lesions, literally all over my body. The doctors said there was no cure, but I couldn't believe it. Why couldn't they burn it off, cut it out or give me a pill?
Almost twenty years later, this disease has devastated my self-esteem, appearance, social life, work life and mental well-being. Endless doctor's visits, treatment regimens and hospital stays have taken their toll. I struggle daily with anxiety, itching and severe pain.
The pain from the public's ignorance is even worse. Often, I want to just stay home, because I'm afraid to go outside and have people see my skin. A cashier will jump when he accidentally touches my hand, as if he might "catch" some dreaded infection. Yesterday, a woman at the swimming pool asked if I was contagious. I explained that my psoriasis is neither contagious or infectious, that my skin just grows too quickly. She got right up and left the pool anyway. Sometimes, parents even pull their kids away from me.
People joke about the "heartbreak of psoriasis," but it goes so much deeper than that. I wish they understood. 34-year-old woman, member of the National Psoriasis Foundation
PORTLAND, OR./October 10, 1997 -- Psoriasis is a noncontagious, incurable skin disorder that affects more than 6.4 million people in the United States. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has proclaimed October National Psoriasis Awareness Month in order to educate the public about the serious physical and emotional impact of the disease, and encourage people with psoriasis to become more fully informed about their treatment options.
Physically, psoriasis can range in severity from mild to disabling. Emotionally, psoriasis can be devastating. It is characterized by inflamed, red, scaly lesions, caused when affected skin cells reproduce seven times faster than normal skin cells. Approximately 10-20% of people with psoriasis also develop a form of arthritis (psoriatic arthritis). Currently, there is no known cause or cure for psoriasis.
"This is such an exciting time for the person with psoriasis," says NPF Executive Director Gail Zimmerman. "Until we find a cure for this devastating condition, we welcome every new treatment option. Recent advances have made more psoriasis treatments available than ever before. This is so important, because no treatment for severe psoriasis is universally effective."
In the last six months, two new treatments for psoriasis have been introduced. These new medications include Soriatane, an oral medication effective for severe psoriasis, and Tazorac, a topical medication used to treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis. A third treatment, Neoral, should be available for severe psoriasis by the end of 1997. These therapies offer new, safer formulations of effective drugs and entirely new treatment regimens.
The NPF is a lay, nonprofit health organization with a mission to provide information and support to people with psoriasis, educate the general public about psoriasis, and fund psoriasis research for a cure. Throughout October, the NPF is sponsoring special educational programs for people with psoriasis and a public awareness campaign to increase public understanding of the disease. Information on all psoriasis treatments, access to psoriasis support groups and extensive educational materials are available to people with psoriasis through the NPF.
For free information about psoriasis, contact NPF at (800) 723-9166.
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